Ackim Musenge

Ackim Musenge (born 7 October 1949) is a Zambian former footballer and coach. Renowned for his exceptional defensive ability and versatility, Musenge is rated as one of the finest defenders to have played for the Zambia national team, which he captained at the 1978 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. He later coached Mufulira Wanderers and several other club sides.

Early life Musenge was born on 7 October 1949 in Mufulira. His father Diamond Musenge was a carpenter while his mother Eness was a house-wife. He was the first born in a family of seven of which four were boys. His brother Japhen also played for Wanderers. He attended Mufulira Mine School and later Kantanshi Secondary School.

Playing career

Butondo Western Tigers At the age of 15 Musenge joined Zambian Division II side Butondo Western Tigers, one of the teams sponsored by Mufulira Division of Roan Copper Mines. He later formed part of the first Zambia School's national team which was coached by John Green and managed by King George High School teacher Glyn Peters. During his time with Zambia Schools, Musenge played in high-profile friendly matches against English youth teams such as West Ham United, Ipswich Town and Derby County youth teams. Many have pointed to this forced transfer of Tigers' best players as what led to the decline in the team's fortunes.

Mufulira Wanderers His transition to Wanderers was seamless as Musenge held his own in a very successful team which had a bevy of stars. He made his debut on 20 April 1975 in a league match at Shinde Stadium against Ndola United which Wanderers won 2–0. His versatility was such that he could play right across the backline and that made him very popular with fans. He settled in the centre-back position and was a good reader of the game, unbeatable in the air and always calm.

His first piece silverware was the 1975 Independence Cup when Wanderers beat Green Buffaloes 2–1. In December of that same year, confusion reigned when Buffaloes registered 'Ackim Musenge' for the following years' East and Central African Club championship and Wanderers were up in arms, accusing Buffaloes of poaching their player. It turned out that the player registered by Buffaloes was an 18-year-old cousin of the Wanderers star, who coincidentally shared the same name with him.

Musenge won two league titles in 1976 and 1978 and was runner-up in 1975 and 1977 both times to Green Buffaloes. He also won the Heroes & Unity Cup in 1976, 2 Charity Shields in 1976 and 1977 and was a three-time winner of the Champion of Champions trophy in 1976, 1977 and 1978. One of the most disciplined players around, Musenge was appointed Wanderers captain in 1977, the same year in which he was named captain of the national team. In 1979, Musenge suffered a broken leg at that year's CECAFA tournament in a 2–2 draw with Tanzania, which would keep him out of action for more than a season. He attempted a comeback in 1981 but a nagging knee injury forced him to quit for good after being operated on. He found other Zambian coaches there like Dick Chama at BDF and Freddie Mwila at Township Rollers. The Zambian coaches made such an impact there that the trio were included in the BFA technical committee.

Musenge won the Independence Cup in his first season at Nico United and stayed with the team for 6 seasons with their best showing in the league being a second-place finish. He then moved to TAFIC of Francistown in 1998 and won the President's Cup in his first season. Two years later he moved to Army side Continental Aces and after two years, moved to Boteti Young Fighters of Orapa in 2003. The following year, he returned to TAFIC and after 13 years in Botswana decided to return to Zambia.

He joined Zambia National Service-sponsored Young Green Eagles in Kafue and helped the team win promotion to Division I. In appreciation of this, the ZNS command transferred him to Green Eagles in Kabwe where he worked with coach Jim Mwale in guiding the team to the Super Division. After four years, Musenge parted company with Eagles in 2011 and retired to his farm in Nyimba.

Personal life Musenge is married to Christine and they have three children; Hector, Wendy and Diana.